Melvin Wall

Melvin Wall, 73, of Tappen ND passed away on Friday, November 19, 2021 at the Jamestown Regional Medical Center. 

Melvin was born on June 24, 1948 to Lenhart and Eva (Deichert) Wall in Billings, Montana.  The family also lived in Bismarck for a short time, then on a farm by Robinson where he attended rural school before moving to Medina where he graduated from high school in 1966.

While in high school, Melvin helped his parents with the cream route for Mandan Creamery.  This is when he met the love of his life, Thelma Schlecht from Streeter, ND.  They were united in marriage on August 20, 1966.  Melvin and Thelma lived at Crystal Springs, later moving to a farm south of Medina.  During this time, Melvin drove truck for his parents and farmed.  Eventually Mel purchased his own trucks which he was very proud of and kept immaculate.  He made sure his kids learned how to shine up all that chrome with Never Dull.  Over the years, he drove for Dart, Dethloff Cattle Company, Northern Improvement and team drove with Thelma for Beyers Cement and Lafarge Dakota.  He also drove for Jim Ressler trucking before retiring in 2013.

Mel enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson, which he had converted to a trike.  He also enjoyed camping with his family.  The Black Hills of SD was always a favorite place to camp and ride motorcycle.  He still owned his 1964 Chevrolet Impala that they had purchased new and would occasionally still burn the tires like he did in his younger years.  Mel also enjoyed airplanes.  He built several remote-control planes and would take them out to fly only to return home to repair them.  He was a perfectionist and could fix anything put in front of him.  Mel played many games of pinochle over the years.  There was always time for one more game.  Over the past few months, Mel and his brother Dale had been working on his Peterbilt semi getting it in top shape since it has been in storage for a few years.  He was grinning from ear to ear when he got it back on the road and was behind the wheel once again.

Mel is survived by his wife of 55 years, Thelma, his children, Lori (Corey) Fanta and Lynette (Dale) Demaray of Steele ND and Monte (Melissa) Wall of Tappen ND.  His grandchildren, Erica Morlock, Megan Demaray, Madison Demaray, Cianna Fanta, Memphis Wall and Maverick Wall.  He is also survived by his brother, Dale Wall of Tappen ND.

Mel is proceeded in death by his son, Shane Wall, in 1999, his parents and a grandson, Dillon.

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